The remaining fixtures of the first round of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will resume in the country’s “Home of Cricket” in Mirpur after a two-day break.

Defending champions Dhaka Dynamites will compete against Rajshahi Kings in the second match for their qualification in the knockout stage that will commence from December 8 after the conclusion of the first round.

The Dynamites are currently wallowing at third position with 11 points on the BPL’s points table just after the table-toppers Comilla Victorians (14 points) and Khulna Titans (13 points).

Rajshahi, whose players will wear black armband against Dynamites in honour of the late mayor of Dhaka-North City Corporation Annisul Huq, placed fifth with eight points having chalked up from 10 outings,.

They have left two matches, the second and last of which they will play against Rangpur Riders on Wednesday. Though the star-studded team has two matches in hand, they focus more on today’s match to win and confirm their spot in the knockout stage what their head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon said.

“There is tightness in schedule what the current status so far is now of the points table. Then we have two matches left, first of which is important more for us,” said Khaled Mahmud.

“To be honest, Rajshahi is very fighting team. We have a happy memory that we won against them in the first phase. Therefore, it’s another day and another game. We have to perform our best,” Sujon told reporters one day before their crucial match.

“I have full faith in my team. We have a strong unit. But we have short fall in terms of lacking and problem. But I think we will play in full strength. The team we have if we could play our 80 percent we will then be capable of beating any team,” he added.

Even though their target is to place them within the top two teams, Dynamites coach said that they set their first target to qualify the knockout.

“It is challenging for us to remain in the top two teams. But our first thinking is to qualify which is now more important for us and that is our target also,” he said.

“There will be happened ups and downs among the teams in the remaining matches of the first round. If we could win our next two matches, in that case, we have possibility to place in the top two teams,” he added.

Khaled tipped the Chittagong phase as unhappy for them, stating that the local players have to perform with the pace of foreign players what is important for them to step into the knockout phase.

“We’ve all the matches in Chittagong were at night. Considering all the things in mind, the team combination is furnished. All the players we’ve in the team are capable. But we’re yet to play our best despite having a stable team that’s a matter of unhappiness for them,” he said.

“Only Evin Lewis and Joe Denly played for us in top-order. We could not field Delport in Chittagong due to team’s combination despite his good innings. That’s unfortunate for us,” he also said.

“I think, the foreigners we’ve in our arsenal, all are qualified and capable players, who knows their respective responsibilities. Actually all are professionals. Now they’ve to play for the team’s success what role they’ll have. There is no excuse for it. They’ve come here to play their part properly. Along with that, the local players’ performance is also important. We’re yet to get the best performance from them especially Mosaddek, Jahurul, Shakib. Hopefully they’ll sparkle all in the right time,” he added.

When asked about their uncertainty over qualification after forming the most balanced and star-studded team, Mahmud said that T20 is such a format of game, where player’s status quo does not vary much because any player could dazzle in a given day for the team.

“In this format of game, any player could be fired. A momentum is very much needed for a team. If it loses momentum, then it is difficult to come back. Every team is trimmed with star players. Every team is balanced and good,” he said, adding: “If you could not play your best or you could not pick in the right time or execution is not better, in that case, it’s very difficult to come back. It is not always right that star-studded team will be champions. It can’t always guarantee as each team is good and balanced.”

EA

Dhakas first priority to be in top four

Coach Mahmud doesnt want to take Rajshahi lightly

Sports Reporter

The remaining fixtures of the first round of the ongoing Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) will resume in the countrys Home of Cricket in Mirpur after a two-day break.
Defending champions Dhaka Dynamites will compete against Rajshahi Kings in the second match for their qualification in the knockout stage that will commence from December 8 after the conclusion of the first round.
The Dynamites are currently wallowing at third position with 11 points on the BPLs points table just after the table-toppers Comilla Victorians (14 points) and Khulna Titans (13 points).
Rajshahi, whose players will wear black armband against Dynamites in honour of the late mayor of Dhaka-North City Corporation Annisul Huq, placed fifth with eight points having chalked up from 10 outings,.
They have left two matches, the second and last of which they will play against Rangpur Riders on Wednesday. Though the star-studded team has two matches in hand, they focus more on todays match to win and confirm their spot in the knockout stage what their head coach Khaled Mahmud Sujon said.
There is tightness in schedule what the current status so far is now of the points table. Then we have two matches left, first of which is important more for us, said Khaled Mahmud.
To be honest, Rajshahi is very fighting team. We have a happy memory that we won against them in the first phase. Therefore, its another day and another game. We have to perform our best, Sujon told reporters one day before their crucial match.
I have full faith in my team. We have a strong unit. But we have short fall in terms of lacking and problem. But I think we will play in full strength. The team we have if we could play our 80 percent we will then be capable of beating any team, he added.
Even though their target is to place them within the top two teams, Dynamites coach said that they set their first target to qualify the knockout.
It is challenging for us to remain in the top two teams. But our first thinking is to qualify which is now more important for us and that is our target also, he said.
There will be happened ups and downs among the teams in the remaining matches of the first round. If we could win our next two matches, in that case, we have possibility to place in the top two teams, he added.
Khaled tipped the Chittagong phase as unhappy for them, stating that the local players have to perform with the pace of foreign players what is important for them to step into the knockout phase.
Weve all the matches in Chittagong were at night. Considering all the things in mind, the team combination is furnished. All the players weve in the team are capable. But were yet to play our best despite having a stable team thats a matter of unhappiness for them, he said.
Only Evin Lewis and Joe Denly played for us in top-order. We could not field Delport in Chittagong due to teams combination despite his good innings. Thats unfortunate for us, he also said.
I think, the foreigners weve in our arsenal, all are qualified and capable players, who knows their respective responsibilities. Actually all are professionals. Now theyve to play for the teams success what role theyll have. There is no excuse for it. Theyve come here to play their part properly. Along with that, the local players performance is also important. Were yet to get the best performance from them especially Mosaddek, Jahurul, Shakib. Hopefully theyll sparkle all in the right time, he added.
When asked about their uncertainty over qualification after forming the most balanced and star-studded team, Mahmud said that T20 is such a format of game, where players status quo does not vary much because any player could dazzle in a given day for the team.
In this format of game, any player could be fired. A momentum is very much needed for a team. If it loses momentum, then it is difficult to come back. Every team is trimmed with star players. Every team is balanced and good, he said, adding: If you could not play your best or you could not pick in the right time or execution is not better, in that case, its very difficult to come back. It is not always right that star-studded team will be champions. It cant always guarantee as each team is good and balanced.
EA

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